Combination purse or pocketbook



Dec. 20, 1955 s. KNEE 2,727,549 COMBINATION PURSE OR POCKETBOOK Original Filed June 3, 1949' 3 Sheets-Sheet l 6/ lxViNToR.

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ATTORNEYS Dec. 20, 1955 KNEE COMBINATION PURSE OR POCKETBOOK 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June 3, 1949 INVEN TOR. /A//O/V KNEE ATTOHNEYS Dec. 20, 1955 s. KNEE COMBINATION PURSE OR POCKETBOOK 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed June 3 INVENTOR. fi/MQN fY/Vfl? MM 2 CBC United States Patent 1949, Serial No. 97,000, dated January 26, 1954. this application February 5, 1953, Serial Original application June 3,

now Patent No. 2,667,199, Divided and No.336,485

2 Claims. (Cl. 150-36) My present invention relates in general to purses or pocket-books, and more specifically to such an article adapted for use as a purse, a wallet and a fitted vanity case.

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 97,000, filed June 3, 1949, for Combination Purse or Pocketbook, now U. S. Patent No. 2,667,199.

a One object of the invention is to provide a purse or pocket-book which is of such construction that it can be of relatively small size and yet be fitted with various devices which are disposed therein, the construction and arrangement being such that access may be quickly and easily had to said devices, selectively and without interference by the other devices. For example, the pocket-book may be fitted with a mirror, a comb and a nail file to constitute a vanity case, and also with a coin holder of the coin-slot type, a bill-fold and a card pocket, all arranged so that access may be readily had to one or more of these devices when the purse is opened.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a purse-of the U-frame type with a covering which is formed of pliable material such as, for example, leather, simulated leather, sheet plastic, fabric, etc. and which nevertheless has a definite shape comparable to that of a case formed of metal or other stiff material. Further, in this connec tion it is an object of the invention to accomplish this result by the construction of the covering in relation to the frame of the purse so that the covering extends apredetermined distance outwardly beyond the adjacent sides of the frame members, and so that when the purse is closed the devices which are disposed therein form a backing for the covering and thereby hold the pliable covering in smooth condition. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a purse or pocket-book having an intermediate part which, when the purse or pocket-book is opened, is movable between each of the outer or cover portions, said intermediate part being movable to one of the outer portions to present all of the vanity devices contained therein, and being movable t the other of said outer portions to alternatively present all of the other devices contained therein, While concealing said vanity devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a purse or pocket-book with a secret pocket or compartment which is of simple construction and which is so arranged in the purse that access may be conveniently and quickly had thereto by one who is informed of its location.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a pocket-book embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the pocket-book open;

Fig. 3 is a view of the inner side of the pocket-book with the intermediate part thereof in one position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the intermediate part in another position;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a view of part of the pocket-book, the mirror shown in Fig. 3 being removed;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a View of part of the pocket-book showing the wallet or bill fold unfolded;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the bill fold folded over to show the card case;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 9 through the intermediate frame portion;

Fig. 11 is a sectional View taken along line 11-11 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 3, with the mirror removed; and

Fig. 13 is a side end view showing the pocket-book closed.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the purse or pocket-book 10 embodying the present invention is of caselike form and comprises three U-shaped frames 12, 14 and 16, preferably formed of metal, or other suitable material, and hinged together at the outer ends of the legs thereof on the common pivots 18 and 20, respectively, frame 14 being intermediate the outer frames 12 and 16. A flexible outer covering 22 of pliable sheet material such as, for example, but without limitation, leather, simulated leather, plastic, fabric, etc., is formed from a blank of said material and is clamped in the cross-members and legs of the outer frames 12 and 16, respectively, said covering extending from the cross-member of one of said frames to and somewhat, i. e. a short distance beyond the pivots 18 and 20, and being folded as indicated at 24 and then extending to the cross-member of the other of said frames. Thus the covering 22 may be considered as comprising the frame covers 26 and 28 of frames 12 and 16, respectively, each cover being joined at three marginal edge portions to its companion frame and joined to each other at their adjacent ends. The three frames 12, 14 and 16 are releasably held in abutting face-to-face relation, for releasably fastening pocket-book 10, by strap 30 secured to cover 28, in a suitable manner as indicated at 32, and provided at its free end with a snap fastening element 34 engageable with a companion snap fastening element 36 secured in cover 26. However, it will be understood that other suitable fastening means may be used.

A lining 38 of pliable sheet material is clamped in the outer frame 12 and in the intermediate frame 14, said lining extending between the cross-bars of each of said frames, and being coextensive in length with both of said frames, a portion 40 thereof abutting the inner surface of cover 26 in face-to-face relation (Fig. 5). A similar lining 42 is clamped in the outer frame 16 and in the intermediate frame 14, said lining extending between the cross-bars of each of said frames, and being coextensive in length with both of said frames, a portion 44 thereof abutting the inner surface of cover 28 in face-to-face relation (Fig. 5). It will be noted that since linings 38 and 42 are coextensive with their respective frames, that said linings do not extend beyond pivots 18 and 20, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 13. The portions 46 and 48 of linings 38 and 42, respectively, which portions are clamped in the intermediate frame 14, are secured together by a line of stitching 50 extending between the pivoted ends of said frame. It will be understood that linings 38 and 42 may be integral, the center thereof being clamped in the crossbar of intermediate frame 14, or that, as here shown, said linings 38 and 42 may each be formed of separate parts 40, 46 and 44, 48, respectively, and that all of said separate parts may be secured together as by the line of stitching 50.

'Aapanel. or part 52 (Figs. 6 and 12), stitched at three of its marginal edge portions, as indicated at 54, to portion 40 of lining 38 provides a mount for a mirror 56, said panel being provided with vthe slotted portions 58 into which the: corners of the mirror are received. 'Pane1'52 constitutes the front wall of a compartment 60 (Fig 11), the rear-wall of which is constituted by lining portion 40. A retractable compartment 62, preferably formed from a strip of sheet material which has been folded as indicated at 64, and stitchedat one end thereof, as indicated at-66, is secured at its closed corner portion 68 to-the inner sur face of panel 52 at free marginal edge-70, thereof, by a rivet 72, or other suitable means, for retractable movement into compartment 60. Marignal edge 70 is provided with a cut-down portion 74 whereby, when retractable compartment 62 is positioned in compartment 60, theifolded portion 64 extends above saidcut-down portion (Fig. 12) to facilitate the retraction of compartment 62 which is freely pivotal about rivet 72. It will be seen from Fig. 3 that when mirror 56 is mounted in panel 52, the retractable compartment 62 is concealed from view whereby said compartment is well adapted to serve as a secret bill-holder or. secret pocket, thev presence of which would normally not be-suspected by one unfamiliar with the construction of pocket-books 10.

.Lining portion 46 is. provided witha tab or holder 76, preferably formed of resilient sheet material and'stitched thereto, as indicated at 78 (Fig. 3) to provide means for releasably holding various articles in abutmentwith said lining portion. As here shown, a comb 80 and a nail file 82 are releasably secured to lining 38 for ready withdrawal therefrom. However, it will be understood that various other articles may be alternatively or additionally secured thereto. It will be noted that with pocketbook 10, opened as shown in Fig. 3, all of the vanity articles arereadily accessible on lining 38 to constitute a separate vanitysection in the pocket-book.

The separate walletsection of the pocket-book is illustrated in Fig. 4 wherein the intermediate frame 14- abuts frame 12 to. make the various devices therein readily accessible. A coin holder 84 of a well-known construction, said coin holder being of the coin slot type and comparatively. stiff, is secured in any suitable manner, as by rivets 86, to the free end of a flap extension 88, preferably formed of .flexible sheet material and stitched to lining portion 44 as indicatedat 90. The coin holder is readily movable outwardly from lining portion 44, flap 88 folding above stitching 90 and serving to pivot the coin holder whereby the openends of the coin slots thereof areangularly positioned relative to said lining portion-forconvenient removal and insertion of coins. The companion lining .portion 48 is provided with a'panel or part'92 (Fig. 9) which issecured at three of its marginal edges, as by stitching 94, to constitute the front wall of a compartment 96 (Fig. said lining portion constituting the rear wall thereof. Said compartment is well .aadpted to serve :as.a card. or pass case and, if desired, may be provided with a window 98 for displaying an identification card or pass, etc., in the customary manner. A bill fold 100 preferably formed from-astrip of flexible sheet material is secured to lining portion --48, between panel 92 and the cross-member of intermediate frame 14, by the line of stitching 102 (Fig. 8) and is provided on its inner surface with the spaced bill retaining parts 104 stitched thereto by the line of stitching 106. The bill fold is pivotal aboutstitching 102 to extend outwardly of frame 14, as in Fig. 9, to reveal window98. When opened, a portion-108 of the bill fold extends outwardly of said cross-member to facilitate theinsertion and removal of bills therefrom. The bill fold isrreleasablyfastened by a snap fastening element 110' in the free end 112 thereof, which end overlies portion 108 in the. closed position of the bill fold, toreleasably engage acompariion snap. fastening element 114 inthe latter portion. It will be noted from Fig. 4 that the closed bill fold fits 'withinframe'14 and overlies panel 92, and that with the pocket-book opened, as in said figure, all of the wallet articles or devices are readily accessible on lining 42 to constitute a separate wallet section in the pocketbook.

Referring to linings 38 and 42 it will be understood that panel 52 and tab 76 are stitched to the former, and that flap 88, panel 92, and bill fold are stitched to the latter, all prior to the mounting 'of the linings on their respective frames. It will be observed that the outer covering 22 is shaped so that the portions thereof, which form the opposite outer covers 26 and 28 of the pocket-book, each have three marginal edge portions which are substantially the'same length as the parts of the frameslZ and 16 in which said marginal edge portions are secured, respectively. Cover 22. is wider than frames 12 and 16 so that when said marginal edges are secured to the companion frames 12 and 16, the body portion of said covering lies. outwardlyuof the adjacent frames 12 and 16, as shown in Fig.13. Thecoverisdimensioned inrespect to. its width and. in respect to the devices such as,:for-example, the mirror 56, the billfold 100,- the card case 96, andthe coin holder 84, which are of such thickness that when the pocket-book is closed, the space between the confrontingsurfaces of lining '38, and the space between the confronting surfaces of lining '42 is substantially completely filled by said.devices,'and said cover parts '26 and 28 are thus stiffened and prevented from wrinkling or becoming deformed. As. aresult, the pocket-book. although having a covering formed of pliable material is comparable in smoothness. and. appearance of definite predetermined shape with a caseformed of metal or other stiff material.

It will .be understood that'the invention'may beembodied invarious ways other than as he-reinspecifica'lly illustrated and described and'that-one or more features of the invention may be used without others. -It will'also be understood that various of the-devices secured-to the linings'may be differentlywarranged, addedito, or deleted, allwithin the scope'of the invention and-without-departing from the underlying idea thereof. Likewise, itwwill be apparent that various changes in the details of construction and in the arrangement of parts may be made without. departing from the underlying idea orprinciples of the invention within thescopeof the=appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to. secureby Letters Patent, is:

. l. Ina-'pocket-book or purse of the character described having a flat inner wall, a' flat member disposed in superposition to a portion of said inner-wallan'd secured thereto along a portion of its periphery thereby forming a pocket therewith-with the unsecured, peripheral; portion forming an entrance aperture fori-saidpockehan auxiliary compartment movable into and out of saidpocket through said entranceaper-ture, said auxiliarycompartment being pivotally mounted to:sai:l. member adjacent an end- .portion of said aperture, means on said member adapted for the reception of .a flat 'articlewhich when associated with said means will overlie said entrance aperture thereby concealing the existence of said pocket a'ndsaidauxiliary compartment.

2. In a pocketrbook or purseof thecharacter. described having a fiat inner wall,- a flat member secured to said inner "wall in overlyingrelation thereto and forming a pocket therewith,- saidpocket having an entrance. opening therefor 'betweensai'd-inner-walland said flat member, slits in said'flatmember adapted for the reception-of a fiat article, said -flatiarticle'being of sulficient length so that when it is inserted in said slits it willoverlie said-tentrance opening, the portion of said flat articleadapted' to overlie vsai'dentrance: opening being substantially :as'wide as said entrance opening is long, whereby when-saidrpordo of :said: fiat article: .overlies-.-said entrance opening said entrance opening will be concealed.

,(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent 1,581,912

UNITED STATES PATENTS i ggggg Maxwell Mar. 10, Snively Oct. 7, 1919 TI'OWbI'ldgfi NOV. 3, 1925 2 439 Kulick Dec. 8, 1925 6 Born Apr. 20, 1926 Bohl Aug. 7, 1928 Behrman Dec. 8, 1931 Trollen July 9, 1940 Thomas Aug. 6, 1946 Hawes Apr. 13, 1948 

